All 4 Uses of
ultimate
in
Leaves of Grass
- They are not one jot less than I am,
They are tann'd in the face by shining suns and blowing winds,
Their flesh has the old divine suppleness and strength,
They know how to swim, row, ride, wrestle, shoot, run, strike,
retreat, advance, resist, defend themselves,
They are ultimate in their own right—they are calm, clear,
well-possess'd of themselves.†Chpt 4ultimate = most extreme as in final, best, worst, most important, or most fundamental
- (the ultimate human problem never solving,)
The gift of perfect women fit for thee—what if that gift of gifts
thou lackest?†Chpt 24 *
- Thee in an education grown of thee, in teachers, studies, students,
born of thee,
Thee in thy democratic fetes en-masse, thy high original festivals,
operas, lecturers, preachers,
Thee in thy ultimate, (the preparations only now completed, the
edifice on sure foundations tied,)
Thee in thy pinnacles, intellect, thought, thy topmost rational
joys, thy love and godlike aspiration,
In thy resplendent coming literati, thy full-lung'd orators, thy
sacerdotal bards, kosmic savans,
These!†Chpt 31
- Ah think not you finally triumph, my real self has yet to come forth,
It shall yet march forth o'ermastering, till all lies beneath me,
It shall yet stand up the soldier of ultimate victory.†Chpt 32
Definition:
most extreme as in final, best, worst, most important, or most fundamental
The exact meaning of ultimate depends upon its context. For example:
- "the ultimate decision-maker" -- the final
- "the ultimate car" -- the best
- "the ultimate insult" -- the worst
- "the ultimate source" -- original or most fundamental
- "the ultimate sacrifice" -- most extreme